The Dallas Mavericks have made their way to the top of the Southwest Division this season with solid defense and an explosive offense.

To that end, every member of the team has stepped up to get the job done, and one Maverick in particular believes he has Jason Kidd to thank for his success.

With No. 2 feeding him the rock, 6-foot-11 Dallas center Erick Dampier has made his mark this year.

In his 14th NBA season, the Mavs big man is averaging 8.5 points per game and a career-high 9.8 rebounds. He gives J-Kidd the credit for his recent statistic surge, as he told the Star-Telegram:

"He knows when to deliver the ball, and he knows where guys like catching the ball — where they can catch it and score. With him, when you run the pick and roll, he knows I’m going to set a good pick. Either he’s going to have an open jump shot or a walk-in layup, or I’m going to have an open roll to the basket. It all depends on how the defense plays it. They’re going to give up something."

J-Kidd sees Dampier’s talent and sets him up as often as he can.

"A lot of times, an opponent will overlook Damp," Kidd said. "My job is to get him the ball and make the game easy. He’s doing the hard part — catching it and putting it in the basket. When he plays like he has been, we’re a different team."

No. 2 commends Dampier for his desire to play, a trait that has propelled J-Kidd through his 16-year career.

"And I think Damp has taken it upon himself that he wants the ball. That’s huge for a guy who normally doesn’t get the ball. We’re throwing it to him to be both a scorer and a playmaker, and he’s doing both."

Thanks to contributions from Jason, Dampier and throughout the team, at 22-9, the Mavericks sit atop the Southwest, three full games ahead of their closest challenger, the San Antonio Spurs.

NEXT UP
J-Kidd and the first-place Mavericks are looking for their third consecutive win against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, New Year’s Eve, at 7 p.m. on KTXA.

RELATED STORIES
Dallas Mavericks’ Dampier credits Kidd for his improved play (Star-Telegram, Dec. 30, 2009)
http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1857265.html